Hooker Sam Parry scored a hat-trick of tries as Ospreys kicked off their Guinness PRO12 campaign with a convincing 59-5 bonus-point victory over Zebre at the Liberty Stadium.

Parry was the star as Ospreys ran in eight tries and Sam Davies produced a flawless kicking display with 19 points from the tee.

Ospreys' other tries came from Lloyd Ashley, Ashley Beck, Ben John (2) and Dafydd Howells. Zebre's only try came from hooker Tommaso D'Apice.

Ospreys flanker Justin Tipuric recovered from concussion and made his first start in a competitive game since being injured for Wales against Italy in the 2016 Six Nations.

Despite Zebre including 10 Italy internationals in their line-up they were blown away in the first half with the dynamic home side leading 31-5 at the interval.

Zebre had little answer to the Welsh region's attacking intent that saw them score three tries in the opening 25 minutes.

After Davies kicked a fifth-minute penalty, forwards Parry and Ashley went over for tries in the space of seven minutes.

Parry crashed over from a line-out drive after a Dan Evans break through midfield had Zebre's defence in disarray before Ashley made it into the right corner after linking well with Josh Matavesi.

Ospreys went a long way to sealing their opening win when Beck evaded two tackles to go in for the third try. Davies converted all three.

The Italians showed some character to get on the scoreboard with a try through a drive from a line-out after 35 minutes for D'Apice, although Edoardo Padovani missed with his conversion attempt.

Ospreys had the final say of the half when Parry went in for his second from another line-out drive to seal the bonus point with Davies adding his fourth conversion.

At the start of the second half, lock Federico Ruzza was denied a try for a double movement before Ospreys went up the other end for Parry to seal his hat-trick from another line-out drive. Davies added the conversion.

John ran in on a fine angle for try number six converted again by Davies and Zebre's disappointing night was complete when replacement Tommaso Boni was sent to the sin bin for repeated offences at the ruck.

And with the extra man, replacement Howells chased up Evans' kick ahead to claim the Ospreys seventh try to take them past 50 before John went in for his second a minute from time. Both tries were converted by Davies.